dam ships

A week after arriving back on Canadian soil, I left the country once again, but this time it was only to venture over to our neighbour to the south. For this mini-vacation, Jean and I were going to exploit most major transportation methods – automobile, train, automobile, boat, train, automobile, in that order. So first up, the car ride down into America. We left before the crack of dawn and headed down to Bellingham, stopping only to partake in the surprising fabulousity of American Wal-mart (it was clean and tidy and didn’t smell of B.O!) From there, we headed over to the Amtrak station.



As you can see, we are heading to Seattle today…so we sat patiently and waited for the train to arrive. I wonder if the train will contain smallpox curtains?



After a delay at the border, we finally received word that the train would be arriving shortly. And then it did! I was so confused though as to where we should be going…only one entrance to the train? And I have to hike my bag up these sky-high stairs? At least the conductor guy had a beard and big hat on.



So my seat just happened to be beside a crunchy, stiff smallpox curtain. No window, just smallpox. But those that did have a window seat sure did have a nice view as we glided along the waters edge.











After making what felt like a thousand stops in little poop towns along the Washington coast, we pulled into Seattle. Now, onto the boat part of our journey, which precluded some more automobile riding. Once we bolted off the train, we grabbed the first taxi we could, which was driven by a tubby geri who kept his butt firmly planted in the drivers seat as we hauled our bags into the trunk. What a lazy bum. No tip! Onwards to the cruise ship terminal!!!

We arrived at the terminal and were shuffled into the crowds, eager to board the ms Oosterdam. After all, how many people don’t want to leap on board for a one-day cruise? That’s right, we are on a one-day venture from Seattle up to Vancouver – isn’t it hilarious? Like, what’s the point? But the boat was solidly sold out and before we knew it, we were up on the Lido deck chowing down on lunch.





Once we had eaten all we could scrounge from the ridiculously busy food stations, we headed down to our room to dump our crap and see where we’d be holed-up for the next 18 hours.





We booked an inside room because we were only on board for not even 24 hours and it was dirt cheap at $66. However, it also REEKED like fake rose-scented air freshener that I called and complained about several times but they just ignored me. They kept telling me it was the “chemical” sprayed to cover up cigarette smoke. EW. But I won’t get into the whole thing here…this blog is about happy memories, so let’s go make some!

After we dumped our stuff, we set about exploring and touring the ship. C’mon…I’ll show ya!


Aft pool


Casino. I’m not supposed to take pictures in here, so of course, I did.




Culinary theatre.


Atrium.




Promenade.



The day was surprisingly warm for being so cloud-covered and so we warmed ourselves for a while outside on some deck chairs. This is the life!









After lounging about, we headed up to the library to get our intellect on. Others thought the library would be a good spot to SIT AND HAVE COFFEE BREAK NEXT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE READING (read: us.)





Eventually our departure time rolled around and we headed slowly out of port – let the duty-free shops open and shower us with some ‘dam’ gifts! Me and Jean had been seriously eyeing some $10 clutches in the gift shop.


Goodbye Seattle!


Um…I think Jean was happy that day…apparently she just hates getting photos taken?



Once we were sufficiently out to sea, I headed to a photo workshop that was apparently totally geared towards geris. I mean, when on a geri cruise, it makes sense, I suppose, but what? What I had hoped was some Photoshop tips, turned out to be Windows 7 tips? Whatevs.



After the geri lesson, Jean and I dressed up and headed down to the dining room for dinner. Since we had picked open seating, we were seated at a large table with eight other people and in no time at all, we became one big, happy family! We never exchanged names…only hopes, dreams, pasts, and presents. Seriously…I told the lovely couple for New Zealand beside me more than most of my friends know…but that’s the magic of strangers, I guess.




Beef carpaccio.


Salmon.


Yum!

After dinner, the next party stop is the show lounge – today’s show was your typical musical routines…which I slept through. I always do this – short cruises, long cruises, the musicals always put me to sleep.



We did head back to the buffet after this and lounged poolside for a while, but I DO have to actually work tomorrow so some sleep is necessary. What a bummer.

The next morning we got up for breakfast as we sailed into the gorgeous port of Vancouver, under the Lion’s Gate bridge. Just lovely!







And with that, we snuck off board the second they started letting people go. We were supposed to wait until our number was called, but when faced with a crush of bodies, who is gonna stop us? Besides, I have to get to work!

After a skytrain and car ride later, I indeed arrived back at my desk at work, the cruise now a fading memory. And fade it will, because I’m never going to sail with Holland America ever again. They can spray all the chemical they want into their rooms, because I won’t be going into them. Sayonara!